4

days

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Walaba

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offers a wealth of entertainment by the sea, attracting a lively international crowd of revelers while maintaining a bright and breezy coastal charm with a local feel.

Get outdoors at Puerto Viejo Beach and Cahuita National Park. You'll get in some beach time at Playa Chiquita and Playa Cocles. And it doesn't end there: identify plant and animal life at Nature Observatorio, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, and get a taste of the local shopping with Luluberlu Art Gallery.

Traveling by car from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is 1 hour. In November, daytime highs in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 30°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) early enough to travel to Turrialba.

3

days

Turrialba

Popular historic sites such as Guayabo National Park and Monument and Our Lady of the Angels Basilica (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles) are in your itinerary. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Turrialba: Cartago (Jardin Botanico Lankester & Ruins of the Church of Carthage), House of the Dreamer - Casa Del Sonador (in Cachi) and River Rafting & Tubing (in Tres Equis).

Traveling by car from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Turrialba takes 3 hours. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in November, plan for a bit cooler nights in Turrialba, with lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can travel to Tortuguero.

2

days

Tortuguero

Costa Rica's Amazon

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 30th (Thu), look for all kinds of wild species at Tortuguero National Park. Here are some ideas for day two: examine the collection at Sea Turtle Conservancy and then choose your vessel at Tortuguero Adventures.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Turrialba to Tortuguero. In November, daily temperatures in Tortuguero can reach 30°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sat) so you can travel to Vara Blanca.

3

days

Vara Blanca

Get some cultural insight at Galeria Namu and Precolumbian Gold Museum. Take a break from the city and head to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Poas Volcano. Get out of town with these interesting Vara Blanca side-trips: Jade Museum (in San Jose) and El Toledo Coffee Tour (in Atenas).

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Tortuguero to Vara Blanca in 1.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Vara Blanca to Manuel Antonio National Park in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In December in Manuel Antonio National Park, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 22°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) so you can travel to Santa Teresa.

2

days

Santa Teresa

A coastal getaway popular with surfers and young travelers, Santa Teresa spreads out from the beach and the main coastal road to a ring of newer developments on the surrounding hills.

On the 10th (Sun), enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Carmen, then take in the dramatic scenery at Montezuma Falls, and then stop by Tica Surf Bikinis. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Santa Teresa and then kick back and relax at Playa Hermosa.

3

days

Playa Samara

A beach town with just enough development to be comfortable for families accustomed to the trappings of modern life, Playa Samara has the resorts you'd expect to find in such a scenic area, but they don't hinder the relaxing atmosphere.

We've included these beaches for you: Samara Beach and Nosara Beach (Playa Guiones). Escape the urban bustle at Barrigona Beach and Nosara Refuge for Wildlife. Get out of town with these interesting Playa Samara side-trips: Nosara (Nosara Wildlife Sanctuary at Sibu & MAEL's ABSTRACT ART GALLERY). There's more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at dondeJavitours.

Traveling by car from Santa Teresa to Playa Samara takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In December in Playa Samara, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 24°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) so you can take a bus to Tamarindo.

Traveling by bus from Playa Samara to Tamarindo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or drive. December in Tamarindo sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can travel back home.